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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, at the weekend disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu personally wanted him to return to the National Assembly in 2027.
Salisu gave this disclosure while speaking with journalists shortly after the end of a two-week digital literacy training programme and the presentation of computer laptops to over 350 unemployed youths and graduates selected across the six local government areas in Ogun Central.
The senator, who facilitated the training in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), informed journalists that the president is actually interested in his return to the Senate because of key legislation currently at an advanced stage of passage.
According to Salisu, the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, now at the third reading and sponsored by him, is central to Nigeria’s transition into a fully digital society.
He explained further that the Bill, when passed and signed into law, will modernise Nigeria’s legal framework by aligning existing laws with the realities of a data-driven economy.
“The president wants me back in the Senate because of the importance of the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill. While the society has gone digital our laws are still analog. But the bill will ensure that our analog laws are modernised to go in tandem with the data society that we have,” he stated.
He added that the global development community is closely watching the progress of the bill.
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“The World Bank is waiting for this bill to be signed into law so they can provide further assistance to Nigeria’s digital transformation. That is why the national leadership of our party and the Senate believe my return is important,” he stated.
On the digital literacy training, the senator said that the programme was designed in both online and physical phases to empower participants with ICT skills and tools, including laptops and other learning materials.
Salisu explained that the programme is part of his broader commitment to improving the lives of his constituents through technology and education.
“I am extremely joyous today because I am investing in people’s lives. This kind of empowerment goes beyond giving out items; it equips young people with digital skills that can put food on their tables and prepare them for leadership,” he said.
The senator revealed that the training is the ninth edition of the initiative and that over 2,000 constituents have benefited so far.
“This is my deliberate decision to focus on education and technology. We will continue to expand this programme. Beneficiaries should make good use of the training and never sell the laptops given to them,” he concluded.
One of the beneficiaries, Mudashir Qodir Olanrewaju, expressed gratitude to the senator for the opportunity, describing the training as life-changing.
“I want to appreciate our distinguished senator for bringing this opportunity to us. I have learned website design and improved my skills in Microsoft PowerPoint, and I am glad to be part of this training,” he said.
